Hello!

KaliChick

I hope it's okay that I'm posting here.  I'm not a mom (I hang out primarily on TTTC), but I do own a private preschool (we are licensed for 70 children per day ages 2.5 years - 6).  I frequent my local bump board as well to help with preschool type issues (how to select a school, what to look for in a school, the differences in preschools, concerns about things going on in school, potty training, etc).  I do not ever advertise my school (not even to my local board ... only a handful of gals over there know which one I own and that's because we've emailed) and I will not do it over here.  However, I'm always more than happy to help answer preschool related questions (about schools, behavior, etc).

If it's okay, I'll pop in occasionally and see if I can help answer questions, etc.  If you'd rather I not, I'm okay with that too!

moroccojade

Welcome!  I think your input would be much appreciated.

Is your school play-based?  Or does it follow any particular method/philosophy?  I'd also like to ask you about the 'role of the directress' sometime... 

Anyway, as an aside:  How is that fair that you take care of and educate 70 children but get stuck with IF?  Life stinks sometimes.   I hope 2011 will bring you a lovely little baby.  

marriedchick06

Welcome!!!!

KaliChick

We are a traditional, play based developmentally appropriate program.

And yes, infertility sucks!  I try and look at it as at least I get to spend time with kids every day, but yes, it is hard.  

Ask away!  I've got my 8 month old niece in my lap though, so I've got to run, but I'll check in or PM me with any questions I can answer about being a director.

moroccojade

Ok... so here is my question.  We *love* DD's preschool.  It's really a wonderful place.  But the directress seems.... out of place.  Or something.  I actually asked one of DD's teachers about her role, and the teacher didn't have an answer.  I asked the directress, (very sweetly of course!) she admitted it was a bit of a struggle to know and she's trying to articulate for the good for the kids and teachers.  (Happy teachers mean happy kids after all. 

She's a very nice lady.  Extremely excited and full of ideas.  A free spirit.  Things just might run even more smoothly if we all knew what she was to be doing...

So, after all that.  What is your role?  How much involvement do you have with the kids?  the parents?  

KaliChick

I've read some of your posts and it sounds as if your daughter is in a very unique school. 

I own the school too so it's a bit different for me than maybe in your school.  My role besides the bill paying (haha) is to manage the staff, make sure we're stocked on supplies and purchase when necessary.  I handle all the disciplinary problems with the children (and the staff).  For example, I just had a 4 year old in my office a few minutes ago because he was hurting his friends in the classroom, so he needed to be separated and sit with me.  I also am here to ensure that we are staying within our licensing regulations.  It is my job to answer the telephone, provide tours for prospective families, handle any visitors, etc.  I also am the one that does all the registrations, managing the enrollment of new children (including all the paperwork).  I do all the staffing, scheduling, etc.

I am very involved with the parents.  I always am the one speaking to a parent when we have a disciplinary problem or if we need to discuss development.  I prefer that my teachers do not speak to the parents about disciplinary issues because they often don't handle the parent as well as I can (a little more delicately).  I also field any complaint (which isn't often) a parent might have.

My daily involvement with the children varies.  If a staff member is out for the day, I am the one that teaches that class.  I wander through the school all day and sometimes will stop to read a book or sing with a class or help with a special project.

Right now, I'm off to make name tags for some new children in our program. 

We are a little different than most preschools though in that our school is an old house.  We have a rotating schedule.  In other words, every room has a purpose or a theme and the children rotate into those rooms every hour or so.

I hope that sheds a little light onto what a director does.  It may be very different in your school, as like I said previously, it sounds like you are in a very unique program.

moroccojade

Thanks for your answer!

DD is in a fairly unique place.  There are only a few of people attempting this sort of school in our city of 2 million people.  Teachers stay with their classes for the entire time they are at the school.  (usually 3 years.)  The kids actually do most of their own conflict resolution (the teachers facilitate if they see kids are 'stuck'.)  The teachers are supposed to do all the talking to the parents, as they are with their kids every moment of the day. 

One similarity between your school and DD's is the house thing!   It's a nice-sized house on a huge piece of property - with farms on one side and hiking trails in a forest on the other.  It's so nice to have a school in a homey environment. 

 Anyway, thanks again for letting me know what you do!  Seems fairly similar to what Miss P tries to do at DD's school.  Very good to know!